[hasy]

Hello Fellow Ninjas!

I have returned (jk, never left) after licensure. I knew getting the license helped others realize that I’m dedicated and can get licensed, but it hasn’t gotten me any jobs. So I’m back to my roots and I know that I need to network. Unfortunately, I have not networked in YEARS and I don’t know how to really do it after college.

So far, I’ve reached to two people (don’t worry, it will grow) at the companies I’m interested in on linkedin and they accepted my connection request (yay!). But right now, is how to phrase my message to them about some open positions at their company. One of them is a recruiter and the other is the senior to the open position that I want to apply for. I know it should be obvious but what kind of questions would you suggest asking them in order to stand out?

Can someone who has done this before, chime in on how you’ve been able to engage them in conversation?

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

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BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Meg267]

I want to know how to do this too. I've sent a few messages and only had one response from an outside recruiter. The recruiter was going to see if he had anything open and get back to me, needless to say, I haven't heard anything.

[Ana]

Looking forward to answers on this. Don't even have a linkedin : /

[Anonymous]

Join groups relevant to you, participate in discussions.

Share reputable articles you find interesting and build a following.

Follow pages and profiles that interest you.

Share updates on your professional progress such as passing portions of the exam or landing a new position/promotion.

You can even message members of firms you are interested in working for. Usually you can see if you share anything in common or if you are connected my a mutual person.

For me personally, I would only stick to 1-2 messages on LinkedIn and offer them my email to make it more convenient.

[FutureCPA]

Hasy, I don’t know you but I think I would like you if I do. Lol

So I live in LinkedIn I am
In there more often than I am in social media (not that that is a good measure being that I am not active in social media really, but u know). I go on my study breaks for several reasons. Sometimes to get encouragement when I see my connections that are CPA and also to not feel awful about taking a break. LinkedIn is one of the many gifts millennial have. It’s powerful. When I reach out I reach out from a genuine please. I don’t reach out and ask for a favor from the first messages, I just share my genuine interest in the company and how I can contribute to their success. I invite them for an informal coffee meeting. I ask them questions, to keep the conversation going. I also like to reach out to two people in the company. I tell them about the other, like tell them I have made contact with someone else in the company, etc.

I am also active. Like stuff and such. Just to get my name in their feed. I also search my head off. I use the filters a lot.

I need to pass before busy season.

[hasy]

@BrickellCPA,

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm already licensed, so my name reflects that. As for messaging, I usually leave a message when I connect with someone in the company that I'm interested in because (well I'm a stranger). So far, the people have accepted my request but not necessarily the questions I've left in my messages. So I'm going keep at it and do trial and error and see which approach can get them to reply to me.

@FutureCPA,

Hopefully the people I'm connecting with on Linkedin thinks like you! 🙂 I'd love to connect on Linkedin if you like. I do feel that I'm coming from a genuine place as well, because all I've been asking is their work experiences and how they came into the company. Maybe I should from a conversation starter? How have you approached them? Do you really do the coffee thing? And it works? I'm always so nervous they'll reject it but I'll try it going forward. Your comments make me really happy that at least some of my personality shows online as it does IRL.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[Pete]

Your best bet is to try to get people on the phone, especially really busy people. Your odds of getting a phone conversation are MUCH higher. From there, you can try to get the individual to meet you for coffee.

During the conversation, you can do exactly what you're doing. You might also want to ask their advice on something, like breaking into the industry and who they might feel comfortable referring you to as well.

LinkedIn is useful for getting peoples email addresses and keeping in touch with them; however, I would focus on their email address more (usually, it's listed on LinkedIn). An email is much more likely to get a response; some people don't check LinkedIn, but will check their email, instead. Posting on an alumni or other local industry wall (Cali cost accountants group etc.) asking for “advice with xyz” might be a good tactic. Once you start a conversation with that person on LinkedIn, you can try getting them on the phone and gather their contact information.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Author]

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